Le temps des lilas

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of late Romanticism with Ernest Chausson's "Le temps des lilas," a captivating album set to release on February 28, 2025, via Pentatone. This exquisite collection of chamber music showcases Chausson's unique voice, blending intimacy and grandeur in a way that only the finest composers can achieve.

The album opens with Chausson's Concert in D Major for violin, piano, and string quartet, Op. 21, a four-movement work that demonstrates the composer's mastery of form and expression. The piece is followed by the evocative "Poème" for the same ensemble, Op. 25, a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love and longing.

The centerpiece of the album is Chausson's "Le temps des lilas," a song that lends its name to the album and serves as an ode to Romanticism, a love song, and a nostalgic reflection on the bittersweet beauty of lost happiness. The album features two arrangements of this piece: one for cello and piano, and another for voice and piano, both expertly arranged by Emmanuel Touchard.

Throughout the album, Chausson's self-critical and pessimistic tendencies are tempered by his undeniable talent for melody and harmony, resulting in a collection of songs that are as beautiful as they are introspective. With a duration of just over an hour, "Le temps des lilas" is an album that demands to be experienced from start to finish, a testament to Chausson's enduring legacy as one of the most important composers of his generation.

Ernest Chausson, born into a prosperous Parisian family in 1855, is a composer whose relatively small output belies his significant influence on French music. Initially pursuing law at his father's behest, Chausson's true passion lay in music, leading him to study under the renowned Jules Massenet and César Franck at the Paris Conservatoire. His compositions, though few, are marked by a distinctive originality and a unique blend of Wagnerian lyricism and French harmonic subtlety. Chausson's works span various genres, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, songs, and an opera, all imbued with a romantic sensibility and a touch of symbolist literature influence. Despite his tragic early death at the age of 44, Chausson's music continues to captivate audiences with its beguiling charm and innovative spirit. Notable works include his Concerto for Piano, Violin, and String Quartet and the symphonic poem "Viviane."